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May 2025Archived

 

Field picture submitted by Elizabeth Fichtner

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Maintenance of Microirrigation Systems: Page

Filtration

Screen filter Photo: L SchwanklThe degree of filtration is expressed as mesh size or equivalent mesh size. The mesh size is the number of openings per inch. For example, a 200-mesh filter has 200 openings per inch.
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Maintenance of Microirrigation Systems: Page

Flushing

Flushing of a drip tape lateral Photo: L. SchwanklPeriodic flushing is required to prevent clogging from sediments, particularly along the lower part of the drip line. A 200-mesh filter will not remove particles of fine sand, silt, and clay or fine particles of algae.
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Maintenance of Microirrigation Systems: Page

Tree and Vine Crops

Self-flushing lateral line end caps, used on a subsurface drip system in tree crops Photo: L.
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Maintenance of Microirrigation Systems: Page

Row crops

Manifold flush valves for a row crop subsurface drip system Photo: L.
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Maintenance of Microirrigation Systems: Page

Biological Clogging Problems (slimes, algae, etc.)

Storage reservoir with organic contamination Photo: L. SchwanklBiological growths in drip lines and emitters can be a serious problem when the irrigation water contains organic sediments, iron, or hydrogen sulfide. The primary contributors to biological growths are algae and bacteria.
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Maintenance of Microirrigation Systems: Page

Biological Clogging

Water in an irrigation reservoir with a high organic contamination level Photo: L.
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Maintenance of Microirrigation Systems: Page

Biological Clogging Solutions

Double-venturi injection system Photo: L. SchwanklTreating irrigation water with a biocide will minimize the growth of organic contaminants and often destroy the organic material, minimizing the clogging hazard. Three biocide methods are commonly used to treat irrigation water.
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